Lompoc police captain has key connection to Dorner termination case

Posted: Feb 20, 2013 4:59 PM by Caroline Lowe
Updated: Feb 20, 2013 6:30 PM

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Local police official had key connection in Dorner case

KSBY News has learned a Lompoc police captain has a key connection to the termination case of Christopher Dorner.

Dorner was the fired Los Angeles police officer authorities said went on a deadly rampage to seek revenge and to clear his name. After police said Dorner killed four people, including two officers, he fatally shot himself during a shootout with officers in a cabin in San Bernardino County.

Don Deming was a LAPD sergeant in 2007 when Dorner came to him with claims he saw his training officer kick a handcuffed suspect.

According to court documents from Dorner's unsuccessful appeal of his termination, Deming testified Dorner "was visibly upset" when he told Deming about the alleged misconduct.

Dorner said, " Promise me you won't do anything." Deming replied, "No, Chris, I have to do something."

After Deming took a new job as a supervisor at the Lompoc Police Department, Dorner called to tell Deming he was being investigated for false statements. During the conversation, Dorner also told Deming, " No matter what happens, I just want you to know I never lied to you."

The LAPD internal affairs investigation later found Dorner had lied and he was charged with making false statements and was fired.

During Dorner's recent shooting spree, he released a manifesto ranting against the LAPD and vowing revenge. He also mentioned Captain Deming as someone who could verify Dorner was a good report writer.

Although Dorner did not include Deming on his "hit" list, precautions were taken to protect Deming and his family while Dorner was on the loose.

With the LAPD now reviewing the Dorner termination case, Captain Deming could be be called back to Los Angeles to give a statement about what Dorner told him in 2007 about the alleged incident with his training officer.

Captain Deming has declined to comment publicly at this time about his contact with Dorner while they worked together at the LAPD.